Improvement in army-trunks



NPETERB, PKOTO-UTHOGRAPHER. WASHINGTON D C f UNITED STATES PATENT @Erica J. UT. HARDIE, OF NEV YORK, N. Y.

IMPROVEMENT IN ARMY-TRUNKS.

Specication forming part of Letters Patent No. SLGILB, dated November 5, 1861..

To a/ZZ whom, it' may concern:

Be it known that I, J XV. I-IARDIE, of the State, city, and county of New York, have invented certain Improvements in Combination Army and Excursion Trunks; andI do hereby declare that the following is afull, clear, and exact description of the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form part of this specification, in which- Figure 1 shows the trunk closed. Fig. 2 shows the trunk open and arranged to form a high-backed easy-chair; Fig. 3, same arranged as settee; Fig. 4:, settee with writingdesk. Fig. 5 shows the trunk closed supporting a table. Fig. 6 shows the trunk open arranged for a bed with canopy-frame. Fig. 7 is a section, enlarged, of Fig. 4. Figs. S and 9 show the table enlarged and the ears or hooks on the under side.

The nature of my invention consists in so constructing a trunk for army purposes, dac., substantially as herein described, as to combine therein a competency of transformation into an easy-chair, a bed and bedstead, a lounge, and writing-desk, a settee, or a table.

To enable others tomake and use my invention, I will proceed to describe the same.

In the drawings annexed, the same let-ters of reference indicate correspondin g parts in all the figures.

Fig. l represents the tru nk closed and ready for transportation. It is of a convenient height, length, and width to be easily and readily handled.

A is the body of the trunk or lower section, and B is the upper section or top, which is of less depth than the body, the trunk being divided at a point in the height that leaves the lower section just a `good height for the purposes of a seat.

The top B has holes or sockets at each end to receive the irons U U, (the same having the shape of the letter U inverted,) and which irons, when the trunk is closed, as above mentioned, serve to support a table T, and when opened and the top turned completely over to convert the whole into abed or settee, rbc., as in Figs. 2, 3, 4, and 6. The said irons (or one of them) form legs to support said iop. The top has a frame I fitted therein (covered with sacking or proper exible material) and pivoted or hinged thereto near the hinges of the trunk, which are at the end instead of the side or back, and provided with the bolts or catches common to the interior partitions of trunks, so that when said frame is shut into its place and fastened the top becomes a compartment, forming a receptacle for the table, irons U U, a bed, mosquito-net, and other detachable appurtenances. Apart of this frame is seen in Fig. 2, Where it is raised in an inclined position, and covered with the cushion or bed, forms, in connection With the body of the trunk as a seat, a comfortable highbacked chair.

The body of the trunk A has two frames, a single frame D, like that of the top B, hung near the trunk-hinges, and a double frame E F, both D and E F being nicely fitted in, and the latter arranged to fold down below the former, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 7. E of the double frame is hinged to F, and instead of sacking or canvas may have leather or enameled cloth. Frame D does not extend the entire length of the body, but is cut short and chamfered off underneath to permit the double frame to be opened up inclined, as in Fig. 6, being held in that position by cleats n or otherwise7 and thus forms a pillow or headrest when the trunk is used as a bed or bedstead, as shown. The purpose of the leathercovered frame is seen in Fig. 4,where it is arranged and supported in a level position, or nearly so, and forms a handy desk for writing, dac. The said desk is held up by small braces G G, pivoted so as to turn out of the way when the frames are folded. Said frame E is also used to support a canopy-frame for the bed. In such case the frame is raised vertically and held so by braces Z Z, similar to or the same as G G, being pivoted to one frame and taking into notches or holes in the other.

E has holes or sockets in its upper edge to receive the extremities of a light frame U, (similar to the irons U,) which frame, with anA oth er U2 of greaterlength set in suitable sockets in the interior of the top B, (see Fig. 6,) and with strings H H or wires drawn across, form a neat and substantial canopyframe for a mosquito-net.

Figs. 8 and 9 represent the table enlarged. In the former it is open, showing the hinges and ears or hooks, which are fastened on the under side, so that when the table is laid on the irons U U said ears take under the irons, grasping them firmly and holding the table strong and steady. In the latter the table is shown folded, exhibiting the arrangement of the cars, so that they shall not interfere with eachother when thus shut together. They enter recesses J J J J.

To support the frame I in the chair, Fig. 2, I use part of the canopy-frame.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new therein and desire to secure by Letters Pate11t l. The construction of the trunk, as described, with the upper section of less depth than the lower when hinged at the end, as set forth, and provided with sockets or their equivalent, and in combination therewith the U-shaped irons, for the purposes and substantially as set forth.

2. The table hinged so as to fold and pro vided with ears or hooks, as specified, for the purposes described.

3. The combination 01": the frame I, U- shaped iron, and top of the trunk, When the said frame is hinged to the trunk-top and supported by the iron, for the purpose of forming a high-backed chair in connection with the body of the trunk, in the manner specified.

4.-. The double frame or frames EF, having tWo sets of braces G G and Z Z for the several purposes set forth, arranged and coinbined With the truuk substantially as described.

5. The frame D, hung near the main hinges so as to swing up and permit the folding out of the double frame E F, as set forth.

J. W. HARDIE. Witnesses:

E. HENRY SMITH, S. T. MoDoUeALL. 

